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Where Are Your Favorite Food Network Stars Now?

Turns out it pays to know how to cook.

By Megan Shepherd, Charlotte Chilton and Alex Watt
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The Food Network is behind some of the biggest chefs and food empires that exist, from Rachael Ray to Guy Fieri. It's honestly hard to remember a time before these personalities were such an important part of the food scene. But just like everyone else, they too had to work their way up. Take a look back at all of your favorite Food Network stars, then and now.

1

Then: Aarón Sánchez

Patrick McMullan Archives
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After studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, Aarón spent the late '90s and '00s navigating the restaurant industry all over the country. He made his Food Network debut on an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay in 2007. From there, he went on to Chopped, Chopped Jr., Iron Chef America, and more.

2

Now: Aarón Sánchez

2019 Austin Food And Wine Festival
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Aarón is currently a judge on Fox's MasterChef and MasterChef Junior. He's also the co-owner of a Mexican restaurant called Johnny Sánchez in New Orleans and he just released his memoir, Where I Come From: Life Lessons From a Latino Chef.

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3

Then: Ina Garten

SO.Cookbook.Garten.RDL (5/10/99) (San Juan Capistrano) The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook author Ina Gar
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Before the Barefoot Contessa was even just a small, specialty food store on Long Island, Ina Garten was working on nuclear energy policy in the Carter-era White House. Her move from policy work to store owner would lead to long list of cookbooks, the first being published in 1999. She also started with a line of Barefoot Contessa Pantry products.

4

Now: Ina Garten

Today - Season 66
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Today, Ina still stars on Barefoot Contessa, which premiered all the way back in 2002. Ina often invites celebs (like super fan Jennifer Garner) to join her for holiday specials on the show. Even with her monumental success, she still enjoys cooking for her husband Jeffery the most.

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5

Then: Guy Fieri

Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri - Cabo Wabo Photocall
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Guy certainly added some spice that the Food Network was lacking when he won the second season of The Next Food Network Star in 2006. Afterward, Guy landed a slew of shows, including Guy's Big Bite and the game-changing Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

6

Now: Guy Fieri

Guy Fieri Honored With Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
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Between his catch phrases and eccentric style, Guy has quickly become a fixture on the network. Today, he's holding down the fort on Guy's Grocery Games, building his Flavortown empire of 16 different restaurants, and enjoying life with his wife and kids in Santa Rosa, CA, as well as all across the USA in Guy's Family Road Trip.

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7

Then: Aarti Sequeira

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You may remember Aarti as the season 6 winner of The Next Food Network Star in 2011. That crown resulted in her very own show, Aarti Party, which lasted for three seasons and focused on Indian-inspired cuisine.

8

Now: Aarti Sequeira

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After her show ended, Aarti nabbed the role as a judge on Guy's Grocery Games. She also runs her own cooking blog, Aarti Paarti, and served up her own cookbook, Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul.

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9

Then: Robert Irvine

Food Network's "Dinner: Impossible" Visits the 22nd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival
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Before starring in Restaurant: Impossible—which debuted on the Food Network in 2011 and served us five years and 13 seasons of delicious drama—Robert served in the Royal Navy, hosted Worst Cooks in America, and hosted Dinner: Impossible from 2007 to 2010.

10

Now: Robert Irvine

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - April 10, 2019
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The chef transitioned to daytime television in 2016, hosting The Robert Irvine Show for two seasons. After a three year hiatus from Restaurant: Impossible, the chef returned to it in 2019 with two new seasons—and he's currently filming season 16.

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11

Then: Donatella Arpaia

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After bursting onto the late '90s New York City restaurant scene with several successful restaurant ventures, it was only a matter of time until Donatella took the next step to food world domination. For her, that meant accepting the role as judge on Iron Chef America: The Series from 2005 to 2014 and Iron Chef America Countdown in 2012.

12

Now: Donatella Arpaia

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Donatella has shared her skills with numerous morning shows over the years and released a cookbook, Donatella Cooks: Simple Food Made Glamorous, in 2010. While running her restaurant Prova Pizzabar in New York City, she welcomed twins in 2018.

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13

Then: Ree Drummond

ABC's "Good Morning America" - 2010
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Thanks to her relatable and highly successful personal blog, The Pioneer Woman, Ree's career was already booming when she debuted her Food Network show The Pioneer Woman in 2011.

14

Now: Ree Drummond

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Since joining the Food Network, Ree has published four cookbooks, a magazine, opened a store in her hometown of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, launched a collection of Walmart kitchen products, and became an actual Barbie doll. And she's done all that while keeping up with her husband (a.k.a. Marlboro Man) and four kids who live and work on their family cattle ranch.

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15

Then: Duff Goldman

Opening of SKY360° by Delta Lounge
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Out-of-the-box pastry chef Duff Goldman showed off his talents on Ace of Cakes, which went behind the scenes of his Baltimore bakery, Charm City Cakes. Since its run from 2006 through 2011, Duff has starred in another show, Duff Till Dawn, opened a shop in Los Angeles, written a book with his brother, lost a ton of weight, and taught Delish how to make the best chocolate cookies of all time.

16

Now: Duff Goldman

Celebrities Visit Hallmark's "Home & Family"
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Duff still appears on a few Food Network shows, like Buddy vs. Duff, but recently the happily married chef has been hard at work with his DIY dessert decorating shop, and we honestly can't wait to see what sweet stuff he gets up to next.

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17

Then: Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray Cooks with Daisy Fuentes
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Rachael began teaching her now-iconic 30 minute meals in segments for her local news. It wasn't long before her bubbly personality and delicious recipes caught the eyes of the Food Network, leading to several shows, starting with $40 A Day back in 2002.

18

Now: Rachael Ray

46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Press Room
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In addition to her lines of kitchen and food products, cookbooks, and magazine, Rachael has had two shows renewed in 2019. CBS is bringing her talk show Rachel Ray back for a 14th season, while the Food Network is reviving the segment that made her famous, 30 Minute Meals, as a digital series.

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19

Then: Jeff Mauro

ABC's "Good Morning America" - 2011
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Jeff Mauro knows sandwiches. As a kid, the "Sandwich King" started packing his own lunch ingredients and assembling his sandwiches at school to ensure perfection. After winning season 7 of Food Network Star in 2011, he landed a regular gig with a show of his own, The Sandwich King.

20

Now: Jeff Mauro

Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Capital One – Grand Tasting Presented By ShopRite Featuring Culinary Demonstrations Presented By Capital One
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Jeff now hosts The Kitchen alongside other Food Network stars, like Katie Lee and Geoffrey Zakarian, and is a frequent guest judge on other shows like Chopped. He's kept his roots in his native Chicago, where he has a hand in running the BBQ chain Pork and Mindy's.

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